Antigonon plant named &#39;colvey&#39;

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Antigonon plant named ‘Colvey’, characterized by its large dark reddish pink-colored flowers; freely flowering habit with flowering racemes developing at every node; relatively early flowering; and tolerance to high temperatures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofAntigonon plant, botanically known as Antigonon leptopus, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Colvey’.

[0002] The new Antigonon was discovered by the Inventor in 1997 in acontrolled environment in Fredericksburg, Tex., as a seedling of randomcross pollinations of unidentified selections of Antigonon leptopus, notpatented. The new Antigonon was selected by the Inventor on the basis ofits larger and darker pink-colored flowers compared to the unidentifiedselections of Antigonon leptopus.

[0003] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttingstaken in San Antonio, Tex. has shown that the unique features of thisnew Antigonon are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Plants of the cultivar Colvey have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity,daylength, irrigation frequency and rate, and/or fertilizer type andrate without, however, any variance in genotype.

[0005] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and aredetermined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Colvey’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘Colvey’ as a new anddistinct cultivar:

[0006] 1. Large dark reddish pink-colored flowers.

[0007] 2. Freely flowering with flowering racemes developing at everynode.

[0008] 3. Relatively early flowering.

[0009] 4. Tolerant to high temperatures.

[0010] The new Antigonon can be compared to plants of the Antigononleptopus cultivar Sunset Rose, not patented. In side-by-side comparisonsconducted by the Inventor in San Antonio, Tex., plants of the newAntigonon have larger flowers and darker pink-colored flowers thanplants of the cultivar Sunset Rose. In addition, plants of the newAntigonon flower about one to two weeks earlier than plants of thecultivar Sunset Rose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0011] The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overallappearance of the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describethe colors of the new Antigonon.

[0012] The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a topperspective view of a lateral branch of a typical plants of ‘Colvey’.The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a close-up view oftypical flowers and leaves of ‘Colvey’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0013] In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. Plants grown in one-galloncontainers for about four to five months after rooting were used for thephotographs and the following description. Plants were grown underoutdoor nursery conditions which closely approximate commercialproduction conditions in San Antonio, Tex., during the spring andsummer.

[0014] Botanical Classification: Antigonon leptopus cultivar Colvey.

[0015] Parentage: Seedling originating from various cross pollinationsof unidentified selections of Antigonon leptopus, not patented.

[0016] Propagation:

[0017]Type cutting.—Terminal vegetative cuttings.

[0018]Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 21 to 30 days attemperatures of 29 to 35° C.

[0019]Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 30 to 60 days attemperatures of 13 to 18° C.

[0020]Time to produce a rooted liner, summer.—About 60 to 70 days attemperatures of 29 to 35° C.

[0021]Time to produce a rooted liner, winter.—About 70 to 80 days attemperatures of 13 to 18° C.

[0022]Root description.—Numerous, fine to thick, and freely branching.

[0023] Plant Description:

[0024]Form.—Perennial vine; indeterminate. Flower racemes axillary withterminal tendrils; plants climbing with support; trailing withoutsupport. When pinched, about 10 lateral branches develop per plant.

[0025]Plant length.—About 2 meters.

[0026]Plant diameter.—About 32 cm.

[0027]Vigor.—Relatively rapid growth rate and vigorous.

[0028]Lateral branches.—Length: About 2 meters. Diameter: Thick, about 4cm. Internode length: About 10.5 cm. Strength: Very strong. Texture:Pubescent; longitudinally ridged. Color: Young stems: Green, 146A, withdark purple, 183A to 183B, overtones on upper surfaces. Mature stems:Green, 148B with brown, 166A to 166B, overtones.

[0029]Foliage description.—Leaves simple, generally symmetrical andlong-persisting; arrangement, alternate. Length: From petiole attachmentto apex: About 10.5 cm. From leaf base to apex: About 14.5 cm. Width:About 10.25 cm. Shape: Cordate. Apex: Acute. Base: Cordate, lobessymmetrical. Margin: Entire. Aspect: Folded along midvein. Texture:Flexible; velvety with very fine pubescence on both surfaces. Color:Young foliage, upper surface: Green, 146A. Young foliage, lower surface:Green, 147B. Mature foliage, upper surface: More green than 146A. Maturefoliage, lower surface: Green, 147B. Petiole length: About 3.6 cm.Petiole diameter: About 2 mm. Petiole texture: Pubescent. Petiole color:Green, close to 144A to 144B.

[0030] Flower Description:

[0031]Flower type and habit.—Single flowers arranged in axillaryracemes; typically one raceme per node, terminating with a tendril;flowers face outwardly. Flowers not persistent. Very freely flowering,typically about 12 to 20 open flowers and flower buds per raceme.

[0032]Natural flowering season.—Late spring until frost in the autumn;flowering continuous.

[0033]Flower longevity on the plant.—Typically less than one week.

[0034]Fragrance.—Not detectable.

[0035]Raceme size.—Length: About 13.3 cm. Diameter: About 4.7 cm.

[0036]Flower size.—Diameter: About 1.5 cm. Depth (height): About 1.3 cm.

[0037]Flower buds (showing color).—Length: About 1 mm. Diameter: About 1mm. Shape: Spherical. Color: Initially purple, close to 59A, then darkreddish pink, 57A.

[0038]Corona.—Arrangement/appearance: Single whorl of five sepals, fusedat base. Length: About 1.4 cm. Width: About 1.5 cm. Shape: Almostcircular. Apex: Rounded, orbicular. Base: Auriculate. Margin: Entire.Texture: Satiny; rugose. Color: Upper surface, when opening and fullyopened flower: 57A. Lower surface, when opening and fully opened flower:57B.

[0039]Peduncles.—Length: About 13.3 cm. Width: About 1.5 mm. Angle:Erect, approximately at right angles to lateral stem. Strength: Strong.Texture: Very fine reddish pubescence. Color: Close to 144A.

[0040]Pedicels.—Length: About 1.1 cm. Width: Less than 1 mm. Angle:Erect, approximately at right angles to peduncle. Strength: Strong;flexible. Texture: Very fine reddish pubescence. Color: Close to 57A.

[0041]Tendrils.—Length: About 1.5 to 15.5 cm. Width: Less than 1 mm.Strength: Very strong; wiry. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Close to 144A.

[0042]Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity: About six to eight fusedinto a crown-like structure. Anther shape: Sharply acute and hook-like.Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther color: Close to 14A. Filament color:57A. Pollen amount: None observed. Pistils: Quantity: One to three.Pistil length: About 3 mm. Stigma color: Light yellow. Ovary color:Close to 154A.

[0043]Seed.—Seed production has not been observed.

[0044] Disease Resistance: Plants of the new Antigonon have not beenobserved to be resistant to pathogens common to Antigonon.

[0045] Weather Tolerance: Plants of the new Antigonon have been observedto be tolerant to temperatures above 40° C.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Antigonon plant named‘Colvey’, as illustrated and described.